CRUEL SUMMER? Data Signal Global Industrial Slowdown. “A global summer slowdown looms as a leading indicator of factory activity has turned down, according to a well-respected independent research firm. The Economic Cycle Research Institute’s long leading indicator of global industrial growth peaked at 0.7 in August 2010, predicting a cyclical peak for industrial activity this summer. The index stood at 0.1 in March, near the lowest level since January 1980.”